Despite an early impression that campaign finance laws in the City of Tomball would be adjusted in time for the current election season, a late change of heart by one city councilman means that the laws will remain unchanged.

With the council set to vote on an ordinance that would increase individual contributions to city election candidates from $1,000 to $2,500, councilman Mark Stoll, who previously voted to put the change on the Feb. 15 council agenda, instead voted against the increase.

“I was the one who originally put this item on the agenda for discussion, and I’m glad we did,” Stoll said. “After talking to different people in town about our elections, I’m okay with the limit being at $1,000.”

During the Feb. 1 city council meeting, Stoll, Derek Townsend and Bill Webb each voted in favor of putting on the Feb. 15 agenda the amendment to the ordinance enacted by the city council in 2008. Two years ago, city council limited individual contributions to $1,000 after candidates in that year’s race raised more than $80,000 combined.

At the Feb. 1 meeting, Townsend cited increased costs of running a campaign as a reason for the proposed hike. He also said he was in favor of a cap on campaign contributions.

However, Townsend appeared to change course two weeks later. At the Feb. 15 meeting, Townsend said he found that of at least 17 of the 20 cities he could acquire information online for, none had campaign contribution limits.

“None of them, not one, of the 20 cities the size of our town, to have contribution limits,” he said. “Do we want to be the only town to have contribution limits?”

Both David Quinn and Warren Driver voted against the proposed increase each time, with Driver warning the council that questions could arise surrounding large political contributions.

Stoll explained that after speaking with citizens of the city, he came to a similar conclusion.

“I think that we should keep it there ($1,000 limit) just so that there isn’t any doubt put into people’s minds about where the money is coming from, trying to influence people who are elected in our city,” Stoll said.

In addition to retaining the contribution limit, the council also voted down a proposal by Townsend to allow additional political signs at polling locations in Tomball.

Townsend’s proposed allowing candidates to place during early voting one sign at each entrance at City Hall and, during Election Day, one sign at each of the four driveways.

“I would like to see us get back to a semblance of small town America where Election Days and 4th of Julys are Patriotic days,” Townsend explained.

However, Quinn cautioned granting such an allowance could cause problems.

“I think it’s a waste of time,” Quinn said. “Just leave it the way it is. The whole thing is going to be fraught with all kinds of problem. A couple of signs on the front door is not going to sway the election one way or the other. Don’t do that.”

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